Unital Ring II: The Virtual Study Society

Childhood Friends

The aftermath of the battle between us and Mutasina's army went as easy as it could go. In summary, we had a feast, tripled our numbers with the addition of the other ALO players, and had a huge feast to celebrate.

But I logged out soon after we gained Holgar, Dikkos, and Tsuburo's support, so I don't know how we're accommodating them. The stress of the last two nights had caught up to me, and I was happy we won and survived. So happy that I roll out of bed, exit my room, and head downstairs to the kitchen. Taking a can of root beer out of the refrigerator, I pop open the can and take a cool, refreshing sip. "Haaaa... Damn."

There's one thing that still bothers me - Mutasina and the Virtual Study Society. I had my blade right there on their leader, and she got away. Part of me wishes I slayed Magis before chasing after Mutasina now, but what's done is done. For now, I fully expect another bout with the Virtual Study Society. Something tells me we'll see them soon enough. I'm happy enough that we're freed of the Noose of the Accursed.

Mutasina's face is etched in my mind now. That chilling calmness is just like Shikimi Kamura, but now that I say that, I have no clue if they're one and the same. I mean, they look very similar, but so did that double. For all I know, if Kamura is in Unital Ring, she could be either girl. Or neither - she's never given me the impression she plays video games of any kind, but that is the same assumption I made of Asuna when I met her at a dinner between our families months before our unknowing reunion in Sword Art Online. I made the same assumption about Suguha before finding out she's the identity behind Leafa, who guided Kirito and me to the World Tree.

Now comes the next step, whatever that is, but we no longer have to worry about attackers.

Turning to the exit to the backyard, I notice the other occupant of my home isn't in her room but is present in the backyard. I grab another soda and walk to the sliding door that separates the house from the area. I continue to the poolside where she sits, leggings rolled up to let her feet wade in the cold water. Whether she hears my approach or not, she doesn't jump at the presence of the cold can against her skin not covered by her black tank top.

"...You okay, Momiji? I'm sorry you had to experience that." I recall the time we were under the Noose's control (around two minutes, Rei later told me) and the face of Kureha for most of it. I'd never seen her so frightened before. She wasn't scared when we fell into Death Gun's NerveGear trap, not knowing hers was a tampered Amusphere in disguise or Itsuki was responsible. There, all she knew was that she could die at any moment if her health reached zero. To this day, I've never seen her express more fear of anything other than stepping out of her sister's shadow.

"No... No, I'm fine. I mean...probably not going to sleep well, but...I'll live."

I nod and sit beside her, turning my head to the crescent moon and the dark sheet of the night around it. "That's good."

"...Thank you. For holding my hand, thank you."

"You're welcome... But I couldn't have done it without you being there with me. So thanks for being by my side." I reach around her shoulders, passively bringing her closer to me. She falls in place like a fitting puzzle piece, her head naturally entering the crook between my head and shoulders. Silence also comes naturally to us, for the only noise is our synced breathing, gulping of the drinks, the movements of the pool water, the chirping insects, and the distant sounds of Tokyo.

"...In two days, you'll see Sylvie again."

"..."

"I was impressed by her skill, but considering her parents, I guess that's not shocking. She takes so much after you, quite frankly. Mean-spirited, easily offended, paternal issues, and the expectations of an inheritance as the sole child."